Boy smarting from ragging, but all say it’s a blank case

Two years after an engineering student complained of mental harassment by his batchmates, the Mumbai University Students’ Grievance Redressal Committee (SGRC) is clueless whether it was indeed a ragging case.

Atul Tambavekar, a student of electronics and telecommunication engineering at the Indira Gandhi college of engineering, Koparkhairane, says the harassment began after he took admission in 2007-08.

“Some classmates began linking me with a girl. They also drew vulgar images on the institute’s walls with our names,” Tambvekar told DNA. “Everyone in college knew who was responsible, but nobody uttered a word out of fear. The professors too turned a blind eye.”

The aggrieved student says he decided to take a break for a year to avoid that group. “I left my papers blank following which the university questioned me,” recalled Tambvekar.  

“I told them it was a ragging case and even approached the Koparkhairane police station to lodge a complaint. But they did not register an FIR. They lodged an NC, saying it cannot be a ragging case as there are no seniors involved,” said Tambvekar.

Hurt by the cold response from the police, Tambvekar filed a complaint with the SGRC in 2009-10. He even wrote a letter to the University Grants Commission. They inquired with the university and police, but there has been no action so far. “Now they are blaming me by calling it a one-sided love affair. They allege that I harassed the girl whereas she did not complain about me anywhere. I plan to approach the court now,” said a disappointed Tambvekar.

The SGRC differed with the boy. “We have received a complaint letter from the girl. But we won’t disclose its content to safeguard her reputation and safety. She is not ready to complain openly due to fear of society,” an SGRC member said. Added Mrudul Nile, another SGRC member: “It does not seem to be a ragging case, but a report is awaited.”

College principal Santosh Narayankhedkar told DNA: “This is not a ragging case. But we are awaiting the university report. At present, Tambvekar is not a bona fide student of the college due to several ATKTs that he has to clear.”